Barts Health staff accept Pride of Britain award on behalf of the NHS
NHS workers have been recognised with a Pride of Britain award from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who praised them for their “humility and compassion”.
The Royal couple presented the prize to frontline staff on a special visit to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, which is part of Barts Health NHS Trust.
Among them was intensive care matron Keisha Mills, intensive care consultant Simon Finney and health care assistant Marian Jones, as well as colleagues from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, all of whom played a key role in the NHS response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway introduced Prince William and Kate to the NHS staff under the famous archway at Britain’s oldest hospital.
The Duke said: “The devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic has reminded us as a nation of how much we owe to the thousands of NHS workers who have gone far beyond the call of duty this year.
“They have worked tirelessly around the clock, with humility and compassion, in the most challenging of circumstances, putting their own lives on the line to help others.
“It is fitting that we are here today at Britain’s oldest hospital to thank and celebrate our NHS staff and to honour them with a Pride of Britain award.”
The Duchess said: "Through our conversations with frontline workers during the pandemic, we have been inspired by their stories of bravery and selflessness.
"Many have had to leave their families for weeks on end, some have come out of retirement to help, while others have stepped into new roles to play their part in the fight against coronavirus.
"And it is not just the medical teams - all NHS staff have played a crucial role through this time.
"During lockdown we joined people up and down the country to applaud the NHS and our keyworkers each week. Their hard work still goes on and we remain indebted to them for all they do."
As the Royal couple presented the award, the Duke added: "We cannot thank you enough.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, it is a tremendous honour for Catherine and I to present this special recognition award to the army of dedicated NHS staff."
Accepting the award, Marian, who is currently working as a cancer care navigator, said: “I was a bit scared at the start because a lot of staff were ill with Covid. But I thought, I have to keep going and keep doing it.”
Keisha, who went to great lengths to support redeployed nurses during the first wave, praised her colleagues.
She said: “We saw a lot of courageous staff who did what was necessary.”
Prince William and Kate also offered their support to TV presenter Kate Garraway whose husband Derek is still seriously ill in hospital after contracting Covid-19 in March.
The presentation was filmed for the climax of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards 2020, in partnership with TSB, which will be broadcast on Sunday 1 November at 9pm on ITV.
Thousands of members of the public nominated their NHS heroes to receive a special recognition Pride of Britain award.
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From left to right: Charlotte Greenfield, a critical care physiotherapist; Martha Sarpong, an intensive therapy unit support nurse; Heder Lopes Landim, a porter at Barnet Hospital, Kate Garraway, TV presenter; Keisha Mills, intensive care matron, Marian Jones, health care assistant; Simon Finney, intensive care consultant.
